Chapter 17 : Jaseung, He Meets Her Again

Chapter 17: Jaseung, He Meets Her Again

An unusually large crowd had gathered at that arena.

“Woahhh! It’s Hae Ryang!”

“The Young Sword Saint is competing in the tournament!”

It became clear why Ma Young-gi brought them there as they heard the crowd shouting.

A young man had pushed through the crowd and stepped onto the arena stage, and it was none other than Hae Ryang, the Young Sword Saint.

Hae Ryang, he was the youngest son of Hae Cheon-in the Lord of the Righteous Chivalrous Sword Clan. He was reputed to be the most talented among the younger generation of martial artists.

With his handsome looks and excellent character, he was beloved by everyone of the Orthodox Faction. And now, he had surprisingly entered the tournament.

His opponent was Jo Baek who came from Sichuan. He was known as the Stormwave Sword, a man of some renown in his region. But he was facing the Young Sword Saint, Hae Ryang as his first opponent.

Jo Baek clenched his teeth and his eyes gleamed. If he could defeat Hae Ryang, it would be his chance to spread his name to Jianghu.

The two men charged at each other at the judge’s signal. But despite Jo Baek’s determination, the result was devastating.

Clang! Clang, Clang! Clang! Clang!

Jo Baek’s sword was knocked out of his hand and fell to the ground in just five strikes.

He had a look of disbelief, shocked that he lost in only five exchanges.

It wasn’t a dream. The pain in his torn, bleeding hand was all too real.

“Thank you for yielding.”

Hae Ryang bowed politely, and Jo Baek lowered his head in response.

“I admit defeat.”

The crowd erupted in cheers as Jo Baek conceded.

The spectators wanted Baek Seolyoung to be matched with someone young, handsome, and from a good family. Hae Ryang fit that description perfectly. To them, he was the ideal champion.

However, that was a major problem for Lee Jaseung.

Dan Woobin spoke with concern.

“Facing Hae Ryang in the preliminary rounds of all places. That’s not good.”

Defeating Hae Ryang wasn’t the issue for Lee Jaseung. No matter how talented he was, he was still merely a young prodigy.

But the problem was the attention the match would bring.

Once Lee Jaseung defeats him, he would be known as the man who defeated the Young Sword Saint and would get all attention drawn on him.

Lee Jaseung was much older, but he looked to be the same age. This was only going to complicate matters further.

Dan Woobil tilted his head confusedly.

“But I don’t get it. They wouldn’t have allowed it easily…”

Having someone from the Righteous Chivalrous Sword Clan was surely going to cause a stir. The Orthodox Faction was known for their justification and honor, but openly trying to seize control of the Northern Sky Clan wasn’t going to look good on their part.

“Whatever the circumstances, I’m sure it was a difficult decision for them to make.”

But Mujin replied with an unconcerned tone.

“He was going to get attention anyway, he’s just getting it early.”

“It’s not that simple. Getting noticed early means they have more time to investigate us.”

“Didn’t we cover our tracks perfectly?”

“Only regarding the Flying Dagger Sect, yes. But I’m talking about us. We’ll end up with watchers following us. Ones we can’t just eliminate.”

“That is indeed a problem.”

Dan Woobin turned to Lee Jaseung and spoke with a serious expression.

“I’ll look into why Hae Ryung entered the tournament and report back to you as soon as possible.”

Mujin then spoke with a grin.

“At times like this, you seem like a different person.”

“What do I usually look like?”

“Well…”

As Mujin was about to answer, Dan Woobin quickly stopped him.

“Never mind. Don’t say anything. I know it’ll just piss me off.”

Watching their banter, Lee Jaseung spoke as he walked away.

“You two head back first. I’ll get some air before coming in.”

“Understood, Senior Brother.”

Lee Jaseung left the arena.

He enjoyed walking alone. He even wished Mook Young wasn’t around in times like this, but that wasn’t possible given his position.

Lee Jaseung had a habit of scouting the area and finding a good spot for training whenever he arrived at a new place.

A short distance from the arena, there was a small lake. It was beautiful enough to make someone want to sit and fish there all day.

Lee Jaseung slowly walked along the lake.

His gaze drifted as he watched the lake. There was someone standing from a far distance. They wore a face veil, and it seemed to be a woman judging by her slender figure.

A strangely familiar lady only stood still, watching the lake.

It seemed like she was lost in deep thought.

She looked young, so what could be troubling her?

Lee Jaseung turned his gaze back to the lake. In the sunlight, its shimmering surface reminded him of the glow of a sword enhanced with Qi.

He resumed walking. At the same moment, the woman walked toward him.

The two passed each other.

After a while, the woman stopped her steps.

“Wait.”

Lee Jaseung turned, and the woman was looking at him. She slowly removed her veil. It was none other than Baek Seolyoung.

She had recognized him as the man she had met at the inn back then.

In truth, Lee Jaseung had recognized her too. The moment they passed, her scent had given her away.

He barely noticed her scent when they first met, but now the scent triggered his memory.

Baek Seolyoung hesitated. She was flustered at this moment.

She wasn’t shocked that she ran into him, but rather surprised that she remembered him and stopped him.

‘Why did I remember him?’

Before she knew it, she had called out to him.

Trying to sound calm, Baek Seolyoung asked.

“Do you remember me?”

Lee Jaseung nodded.

She was speaking informally. She clearly viewed him as someone her age or younger. He didn’t mind someone young like her viewing him as such.

“I’m… sorry about back then.”

She realized why she had called out to him.

It was because she felt guilty.

Yes, it was guilt. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have remembered this stranger and stopped him.

“Of course you should be.”

Baek Seolyoung was caught off guard by Lee Jaseung’s blunt reply. She expected that he would forgive her right away.

“I was all over the place at the time…”

“Assassins attacked when you left.”

“What?”

She was shocked. At that time, she was too concerned for herself to think of the danger others might face.

Lee Jaseung started turning away, and she hurriedly asked.

“Are you okay?”

“As you can see. But if it wasn’t me, anyone else in that room would’ve died.”

He was implying she had nearly caused someone’s death, and it unsettled her.

Lee Jaseung coldly turned and walked away.

“I’m sorry!”

She apologized again, but he continued to walk without looking back.

“You already said that.”

Baek Seolyoung felt frustrated for an instant. She fully understood that he was angry, but how dare he show such a cold reaction to someone who sincerely apologized!

“I’ll compensate!”

She blurted out but immediately regretted it afterwards. She wondered why she said such a thing, there was no turning back now.

Lee Jaseung stopped.

“How?”

“Say anything you want.”
A short silence fell. She was nervous about what he would say.

What if he makes an outrageous demand?

But his answer rendered her worries meaningless.

“No need.”

Baek Seolyoung felt drained as he saw him walk away. She laughed bitterly.

‘The whole world must know how pathetic I am these days.’

She shook her head and walked in the opposite direction.

How many steps were taken?

Lee Jaseung’s voice called out from behind.

“Wait.”

She turned around, and he was standing far away.

“I’ll accept your compensation.”

“Say it.”

Then, something completely unexpected came out from Lee Jaseung’s mouth.

“Treat me to a meal.”

* * *

Dan Woobin was leaning on the third-floor balcony of the White Ram Inn, reading the first report on Hae Ryang.

“This guy, he entered without permission. Looks like the Righteous Chivalrous Sword Clan is in chaos over it.”

As he spoke, Mujin, who was leaning over the railing waving at the woman passing below, replied.

“He entered to win the woman he loves.”

“Love?”

“Of course. He’s from the Righteous Chivalrous Sword Clan, yet he recklessly made such a bold move which could only mean one thing. He’s in love with Baek Seolyoung. I’ll bet your monthly pay on it.”

“You bastard! Bet your own.”

Still, Dan Woobin nodded. He thought that Mujin’s guess was correct.

“We’ll have to make him give up somehow.”

He thought deeply to himself as he continued to read to report.

“They’ll face each other in three days at this rate. Damn it!”

They were matched in the preliminary rounds. It was something Dan Woobin never expected to happen.

“Just tell him to fight and win. You worry too much.”

“With people as carefree as you around, someone has to worry.”

Just then, Mujin’s eyes widened.

“Woah! That veiled woman down there is pretty.”

“How do you know when she is wearing a hat with a veil?”

Dan Woobin replied without looking up from his report.

“You can tell just by the way she walks. I bet she’s really beautiful… Huh? My Lord? They’re sitting together?”

“Stop joking around.”

“I’m serious.”

Dan Woobin looked down just to keep up with his humor, but he was shocked. Lee Jaseung was indeed sitting across from the veiled woman.

“What the! He’s really with a woman!”

Dan Woobin stared at her, eyes wide.

Lee Jaseung had wanted to go somewhere else, but Baek Seolyoung led him here, insisting that the food here was good.

He only decided to accept her compensation because of the metal box.

If she had opened it, she surely would have died. The power of the pill inside was too much for her to handle.

But that was a problem for later. The more immediate issue was that he had taken her possession without permission.

Thanks to that, he had obtained inner Qi and a new supreme martial art.

In truth, he was the one who owed her a meal, a lifetime’s worth at that.

Plus, he was curious about where she managed to get the metal box. Then, he would be able to figure out what kind of martial art it truly was.

“Can I order for us?”

Lee Jaseung nodded after hearing her. Baek Seolyoung had been here a few times before. She knew exactly which dishes were good.

She picked out a few and placed the order.

Watching her closely, Dan Woobin took a few steps down the stairs without himself realizing.

“Huh? Wait, that woman…”

Then, Mujin suddenly yanked him back and spoke quietly.

“You dense fool! Are you trying to ruin our Lord’s future? You must’ve traded your sense for intelligence.”

“No, I’m not that dense.”

“But your two feet were heading down already.”

“That lady, she just seems familiar.”

“You can’t even see her face!”

“There’s something about that’s… Ah! I remember! The woman on the bed that day!”

“Bed? What the hell do you mean?”

Mujin’s eyes lit up.

“She’s the one who was lying on our Lord’s bed.”

“What? Our Lord brought a woman to his bed?”

“No, that’s not what- “

Before hearing everything Dan Woobin had to say, Mujin tried to bolt downstairs.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“I must go see who she is. Our Lord with a woman? On his bed at that!?”

“But what about his future you spoke of earlier?”

“My curiosity comes first.”

Dan Woobin dragged Mujin into a room and spoke.

“Your curiosity is below my loyalty.”

Meanwhile, Lee Jaseung and Baek Seolyoung ate in silence. Though of course, Lee Jaseung knew that the other two were watching him.

The two were up on the third-floor. With the loud crowds below, Baek Seolyoung hadn’t noticed.

For someone of Lee Jaseung’s level, he could hear even their whispers if he chose to, even amidst the noise.

But for this moment, he chose not to listen. He shut out all distractions and focused on the moment with her.

Her gaze naturally drifted toward Asura on his waist.

She thought it was just for self-defense at first glance, but now she saw the devilish face engraved on the dagger that looked all too real.

Having grown up in the Northern Sky Clan, she had an eye for quality and knew this was no ordinary dagger.

Someone carrying such a weapon but untrained? Something didn’t add up.

Baek Seolyoung carefully asked him.

“Did you learn martial arts?”

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